A man takes photos as mourners view the body of Malta's former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff lying in state at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, August 24, 2012. Dom Mintoff, Malta's former socialist prime minister and dominant political force for more than half a century, died at the age of 96 at his residence on August 20. Known for his confrontational style and fiery speeches, Mintoff oversaw the closure of Britain's military base on the island in 1979 - ending the 200-year-old military link. His state funeral will take place on Saturday.
REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi (MALTA - Tags: POLITICS OBITUARY)